The Ultimate Lazy Person’s Turkey Melt

Okay, so maybe “ultimate” is a strong word, but this turkey melt is seriously my go-to when I’m craving something warm, cheesy, and requires minimal effort. I stumbled upon this recipe after a particularly brutal grocery shopping trip (aka, my fridge was basically empty).

All I had was some leftover turkey, a few slices of cheese, and, well, the usual condiments. It was pure desperation that led to culinary genius (or at least, a pretty decent sandwich).

The real magic of this melt is the red wine vinegar mayo. It sounds fancy, but it’s literally just three ingredients whisked together. Honestly, store-bought sauce works fine here, but the homemade version is SO much better. Plus, it takes all of 30 seconds to make. It adds this tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the cheese and bacon.

This recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or a super easy dinner. It’s also great for using up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving (though let’s be real, is there ever any leftover turkey?). Fair warning: it can get a little messy.

What You’ll Need

• ¼ pound deli turkey
• 3 strips bacon
• 2 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tomato sliced
• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Red Wine Vinegar Mayo:
  • 2 tablespoon mayo
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • fresh ground pepper to taste

Steps

1. Mix together the mayo, red wine vinegar, and black pepper in a small bowl, and set aside.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Flip as needed, then remove and set aside. (I usually burn mine a little bit, but it still tastes good!)
3. Warm the turkey meat by placing the slices flat on a plate and heating in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Butter the exterior of the bread and add cheese, turkey, bacon, tomato, and remaining slice of bread. Spread red wine vinegar mayo on the second slice of bread and place on top of the sandwich.
5. Place the turkey sandwich in a skillet set over medium-low heat and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Flip and repeat. Took me forever to figure out the right temperature for this, so be patient!
6. Slice the sandwich in half and serve.

Substitutions That Actually Work

• Swap out Monterey Jack for cheddar, Swiss, or provolone – basically any cheese that melts well.
• Use whatever bread you have on hand. Sourdough is my fave, but Texas toast or even regular white bread works.
• If you’re feeling adventurous, add some avocado or a fried egg.

Making It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use low-carb bread.
• Reduce the amount of mayo.
• Skip the bacon or use turkey bacon.

Tips & Storage

• Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the bacon.
• Make sure your skillet isn’t too hot, or the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
• These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave.